Along Cambrian Lines to Barmouth

David Aldred brought us “Along Cambrian Lines to Barmouth” for our November meeting. The Cambrian network covered much of mid-Wales west of Shrewsbury, so we started there, made our way up the ‘main line’ to Welshpool, taking in Whitchurch, Ellesmere to Wrexham, then up to Oswestry and Gobowen via Llanymynech, having a look at the lines to Llanfyllin and Llangynog en route. Picking up the line again at Welshpool we headed towards Caersys and Machynlleth, taking in the now closed branch lines, then travelling from Dovey Junction firstly to Aberystwyth, and then to Barmouth and Twywn. Illustrated with images of many of the stations along the way, along with the locomotives which commanded the route, Great Western Manors, Ivatt Cl.2MTs and BR Standard 2MT and 4MTs, and Diesel Multiple Units, which handled the local trains. The route’s named train – The Cambrian Coast Express featured. Incidentally many of the Manor class locomotives we saw are still with us!  Connections with the Talyllyn Railway at Twywn and the Vale of Rheidol at Aberyswyth were highlighted. This was a thoroughly researched and comprehensive journey along an important route, happily, much of which is still in use. The Cambrian Heritage Railway has their headquarters at Oswestry.